Salvia plant named &#39;SGRSA05-1&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Salvia  cultivar named ‘SGRSA05-1’ is disclosed, characterized by vigorous plants with a large, upright form and long flowering period. Flowers have salmon corollas with darker salmon-orange calyces. Calyces are persistent and retain their salmon-orange color. The new variety is a  Salvia splendens , normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Salvia splendens.

Variety denomination:

‘SGRSA05-1’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Salvia cultivar is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor, Michael Uchneat in Bellefonte, Pa. Theobjective of the breeding program was to produce new Salvia splendensvarieties with large, upright plant habits in a range of flower colors.The self-pollination resulting in this new variety was made during Juneof 2013.

The selfed parent variety is an unpatented, proprietary, Salviasplendens referred to as ‘28669-1’ The new variety was identified as apotentially interesting selection in August 2014, at a greenhouse inBellefonte, Pa.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘SGRSA05-1’ by vegetativecuttings was first performed during August of 2014, at a researchgreenhouse in Bellefonte, Pa. Subsequent propagation has shown that theunique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to typeon successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘SGRSA05-1’. has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘SGRSA05-1’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘SGRSA05-1’ as a new and distinct Salviacultivar:

-   -   1. Vigorous, large, upright plant larger than most Salvia        splendens in the trade.    -   2. Long flowering period from young plant until frost.    -   3. Calyces are persistent and color of the calyx is retained.    -   4. Unique flower color with a light salmon calyx with a darker        salmon-orange corolla.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SGRSA05-1’ are similar to plants of theparent in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the newcultivar ‘SGRSA05-1’ differ in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety has a salmon and salmon-orange flower, the        parent variety flower color is more red.    -   2. Size of the new variety is approximately 25% larger in size        of than the parent variety.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SGRSA05-1’ can also be compared to thecommercial variety Salvia splendens ‘Saucy Red’, unpatented. Thesevarieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however‘SGRSA05-1’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety has salmon flowers. Flowers of ‘Saucy Red’        are solid red.    -   2. A higher percentage of calyx retention is observed in the new        variety.    -   3. Foliage of the new variety is darker green.    -   4. The new variety is not sterile, whereas ‘Saucy Red’ appears        to be sterile.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SGRSA05-1’ can also be compared to thecommercial variety Salvia splendens ‘Lighthouse Red’, unpatented. Thesevarieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however‘SGRSA05-1’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety has salmon flowers. Flowers of ‘Lighthouse        Red’ are solid red.    -   2. Flowering spikes of the new variety are longer than those of        ‘Lighthouse Red’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘SGRSA05-1’ grown in a greenhouse, in Santa Paula,Calif., in a commercial 10 inch container.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color typical flowering spikes of‘SGRSA05-1’. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 3 monthsfrom 3 rooted cuttings. The photographs were taken using conventionaltechniques and although colors may appear different from actual colorsdue to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventionalphotographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘SGRSA05-1’ plants grown in a greenhouse inSanta Paula, Calif. The growing temperature ranged from approximately10° C. to 30° C. The greenhouse is un-shaded, giving bright, normalsunlight conditions. Measurements and numerical values representaverages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Salvia splendens ‘SGRSA05-1’.-   Propagation:    -   -   Root description.—Fine, densely fibrous. Colors include            Green-White 157D on new growth and Orange-White 159C,            Grey-Brown 199B and 199C for older roots.-   Plant:    -   -   Growth habit.—Upright and somewhat outwardly angled.        -   Pot size of plant described.—6 inch pot.        -   Height.—Approximately 22 cm to top of foliage. Approximately            36 cm to top of flowering plane. Measured from soil level of            pot.        -   Plant spread.—Approximately 41 cm.        -   Growth rate.—Rapid.        -   Branching characteristics.—Moderately well branched.            Approximately 2 to 4 branches emerging from a pinch, which            branch into another 2 to 4 primary lateral branches.        -   Length of primary lateral branches.—Average range 12 to 18            cm.        -   Diameter of lateral branches.—Approximately 0.5 to 0.7 cm.        -   Quantity of lateral branches.—About 16 to 24.        -   Stem.—Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A, striped            Yellow-Green N144B. Nodes flushed Greyed-Purple 187B.            Texture: Very slightly pubescent and deeply ribbed.        -   Internode length.—Average range 2.5 to 5.0 cm.        -   Age of plant described.—Approximately 20 weeks from 3 rooted            cuttings.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaf.—Arrangement: Opposite. Quantity: Average range 10 to            14 fully expanded per main branch. Average Length:            Approximately 13.5 cm. including petiole. Average Width:            Approximately 6.5 cm. Shape of blade: Deltoid. Apex: Acute.            Base: Truncate. Attachment: Stalked. Margin: Crenate.            Texture of top surface: Matte, glabrous, reticulate. Texture            of bottom surface: Matte, glabrous, reticulate. Color: Young            foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Young foliage under            side: Near RHS Green 137C. Mature foliage upper side: Near            RHS Green 137A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green            137C. Venation: Type: Reticulate. Venation color upper side:            Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B. Venation color under side: Near            RHS Yellow-Green 147C. Petiole: Average Length:            Approximately 3.9 cm. Diameter: Approximately 0.2 cm. Color:            Upperside: Near RHS Yellow-Green 148A Underside: Near RHS            Yellow-Green 148B Texture: Softly pubescent upperside. More            pubescent on underside, hairs colored near Greyed-Purple            187B.-   Flower:    -   -   Natural flowering season.—Flowering from early Spring until            the first heavy frost.        -   Inflorescence type and habit.—Flowers arranged in            verticillasters on spikes.        -   Flower longevity on plant.—Individual flowers last            approximately 7 to 10 days on the plant. Each spike lasts            approximately 4 to 6 weeks with flowers. Corolla self            cleaning, calyx persistent.        -   Quantity of flowers.—About 12 to 16 buds and 30 to 50 fully            opened flowers per spike, at one time. Mature plants in a 6            inch pot have approximately 12 to 18 spikes.        -   Spike size.—Diameter: Average 7.0 cm. Height: Average range            10.0 to 18.0 cm.        -   Individual flowers.—        -   Size.—Diameter: Approximately 1.1 cm. Length: Approximately            4.5 cm. Fragrance: Very faint musty scent.        -   Corolla.—Petal arrangement: The corolla is sympetalous and            typically bilabiate with 2 small, fully fused lobes forming            a single upper lip and 3 larger fused lobes forming a lower            lip Margin: Entire. Tip shape: Upper lip tip obtuse, lower            lip tip retuse Length: Upper lip Approximately 1.2 cm, Lower            lip Approximately 0.7 cm. Tube length Approximately 3.4 cm.            Width: Upper lip: Approximately 0.7 cm, lower lip            Approximately 1.1 cm. Tube width: Approximately 0.7 cm.            Texture: Upper lip: Glabrous all surfaces. Lower lip:            Glabrous all surfaces.        -   Color.—Upper Lip: When opening: Inner surface: Near RHS            Orange-Red 33A Outer surface: Near RHS Orange-Red 33A Fully            opened: Inner surface: Near RHS Red 39C Outer surface: Near            RHS Red 39C Fading: Inner surface: Near RHS Red 55B Outer            surface: Near RHS Red 54D.        -   Color.—Lower Lip: When opening: Inner surface: Near RHS            Orange-Red 34A Outer surface: Near RHS Orange-Red 33A Fully            opened: Inner surface: Near RHS Red 50D Outer surface: Near            RHS Red 55D Fading: Inner surface: Near RHS Red 50D Outer            surface: Near RHS Red 55D.        -   Color.—Tube: When opening: Inner surface: Near RHS Red 56A            Outer surface: Near RHS Orange-Red 35A, streaked 34A Fully            opened: Inner surface: Near RHS Red 56B Outer surface: Near            RHS Red 39C Fading: Inner surface: Near RHS Red 56C Outer            surface: Near RHS Red 39D.        -   Bud.—Flower bud includes immature calyx which completely            surrounds immature corolla. Shape: Ovoid Length:            Approximately 1.9 cm Diameter: Approximately 0.9 cm Color:            Near RHS Orange-Red 31A.        -   Calyx.—Length: Approximately 2.5 cm Diameter: Approximately            1.1 cm Shape: Tubular.        -   Sepals.—Shape: Quantity per flower: 3, fused to form a tube.            Unfused apex. Length: Approximately 0.8 cm unfused portion            Width: Approximately 0.9 cm Margin: Entire Apex: Acute to            short apiculate. Texture: Softly pubescent. Color: Immature:            Near RHS Orange-Red 31C, turning 31A towards apex Mature:            Near RHS Orange-Red 34B, apex 34A.        -   Peduncle.—Length: Average 5.0 cm. Diameter: 0.5 cm Color:            Near RHS Yellow-Green 153D, turning near Orange-Red 30C            Orientation: Straight, approximately 15 degree angle from            center of plant. Strength: Strong. Texture: Softly            pubescent, ridged.        -   Pedicels.—Length: Average range 0.3 to 0.5 cm. Diameter: 0.1            cm Color: Near RHS Orange-Red 31B Orientation: Straight,            approximately 75 to 90 degree angle from attachment.            Strength: Flexible. Texture: Pubescent.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Number: 2 Filament length: Approximately 1.9 cm            Filament color: Near RHS White N155A.        -   Anthers.—Shape: Linear Length: Approximately 2 mm Color:            Near RHS Red 49D Pollen: Scant pollen observed, colored near            Greyed-Yellow 161D.        -   Pistil.—Number: 1 Length: Approximately 4.5 cm Style:            Length: Approximately 4.2 cm Color: Near RHS White N155C            Stigma: Shape: Forked. Color: Near RHS Red 51A Ovary:            Colored near RHS White N155C, oblong, approximately 0.3 cm            long and 0.2 in diameter.-   Other characteristics:    -   -   Seeds and fruits.—Fruit is a paper capsule, approximately 5            mm long and 3 mm wide. Colored near Grey-Orange 164D.            Typically 4 seeds per pod, approximately 2 mm long and 2 mm            wide. Colored near Brown 200B.        -   Disease/pest resistance.—Neither resistance nor            susceptibility to pathogens and pests common to Salvia            splendens have been observed. The most common disease is            powdery mildew (many Genus and species). Common pests            include aphid and nematode.        -   Temperature tolerance.—The new variety is a tender            herbaceous perennial, tolerating temperatures within USDA            zones 10 to 11.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Salvia plant named‘SGRSA05-1’ as herein illustrated and described.